Eat, stay, and play like a local in Grand Rapids, Michigan

$44,250 in Quilt Prize Money, How to go from Quilter to Author, and Much, Much, More at the AQS Show in Grand Rapids.

quilt by Colleen Kole, West Michigan Quilters' Guild Member

On August 22 25, you'll be able to walk among the deep reds, navy blues, and emerald greens of over 900 beautiful and intricate quilts hanging at DeVos Place Convention Center for the American Quilting Society Show and Contest in Grand Rapids.

Over the past couple of months, I've had the opportunity to interview several quilters from the West Michigan Quilters Guild (looking at you Betsy Carlson, Sue Cortese, Terri Watson, Colleen Kole, and Joan Brink.) In the process, I've learned an awful lot about this craft and art and its important place in history.

Now, when I walk through the gorgeous display of quilts at the AQS Show, I'll have an understanding, admittedly basic, of what I'm seeing: hand-quilting, machine quilting and applique, for starters. And I can't wait to look at the close to 400 quilts that were accepted into the AQS juried contest--at stake is $44,250 in prize money--and find out which ones are the big winners. The winners will be announced shortly before the opening of the show (8:40 a.m. 9:00 a.m. outside the Exhibit hall, Wednesday 8/22/12), so AQS Show attendees will be able to see the winning quilts up close!

If you pre-order, your tickets will be held at the Will Call desk at the AQS Show, which opens at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22, the first day of the show. On August 23-25, Will Call opens at 8:00 a.m.

quilt by Sue Cortese, West Michigan Quilters' Guild Member

Insider Tips

Getting Around

Stop by Ballroom C the first day of the show, Wednesday, August 22, between 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. for free tips for getting around the show, finding your way in DeVos Place, and what to do in Grand Rapids. Representatives from AQS, DeVos Place, and the Grand Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau will be present to help you get the most out of the show and your visit to our city.

Networking, Demonstrating, and Relaxing

If you're ready for a break, want to meet other quilters, or would like to see a skill demonstration, head to My Quilt Place during show hours in the Grand Gallery Meeting Rooms E and F in DeVos Place.

Currently planned demos:

Wednesday at 3:00 pm Hand-quilting (Andi Reynolds)

Thursday at 10:00 a.m.Favorite tools (Bobbie Browning)

Thursday at 2:00 p.m.Decorate your shoes (Annemart Berendse)

Quilt Appraisal, Saturday, August 25, 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

If you have an old quilt you'd like to have appraised, here's your chance. AQS certified quilt appraisers will be in the Grand Gallery Meeting Rooms E/F from 9am to 4pm on this day only. Appointments aren't necessary, but if you'd like to set a time, please call Marcelle Cashon at 270-898-7903, ext. 130. The appraisal fee is $50 per quilt.

Exhibits

In addition to viewing the winning quilts at the AQS Show, you wont want to miss the amazing array of quilting exhibits. Here are just a few you can see:

Stitch Like an Egyptian. This exhibit features appliqued quilts made by the Tentmakers of Cairo, Egypt.

Japanese Color and Form: New Works by Fifty Japanese Artists.This exhibit features exquisite fabric in prizewinning quilts from Japan.

New Quilts from an Old Favorite: Baskets. This exhibit features the 2012 National Quilt Museums semi-finalists, who've taken a favorite old pattern and created new quilts with a twist.

Your AQS conference badge will get you a $1 discount off the regular admission to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Open until 8:00 p.m.)

Friday, August 24

Visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum and enjoy art, live music and a cash bar for the special AQS price of $4. (Open until 8:00 p.m.)

Multi-night events in Grand Rapids during the AQS Show

Rock the Rapids, August 20 August 25

After the AQS Show, head over to the outdoor stage at the Van Andel Arena to gett your music on at this downtown music festival featuring Toby Keith, Boyz II Men, and more!

Polish Festival, August 24 26

Enjoy authentic food, music, cooking demonstrations, and activities at Rosa Parks Circlee, which is just a hop, skip and a jump from the AQS Show.

Hours:

Friday Sunday: 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 12:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.

Quilters, The Musical, August 22 25

Lose yourself in this tale about pioneer life for American women, told in a musical-vignette format. Each vignette is a patch in the quilt of their lives: girlhood, marriage, childbirth, spinsterhood, twisters, fire, illness and death.

quilt by Betsy Carlson, West Michigan Quilters' Guild Member

Fortunately for attendees, the AQS Show takes place during Grand Rapids Restaurant Week, when over 60 Grand Rapids restaurants will celebrate the farm-to-fork movement by offering creative menus based on locally-sourced food. After a day at the AQS Show, you can relax with a great meal at these participating restaurants.

Last But Not Least

As you peruse the exhibits at the AQS Show & Contest, take time to read the background of the quilts you see. The quilters are often artists expressing themselves by using fiber as a medium.Many of their quilts, particularly the abstracts, have a deeper story - one you might not discover if you cruise through too quickly!

If you're in town for a visit, be sure to check out as much of Grand Rapids as time allows. Taking advantage of the Special Events mentioned above will help, but there's always more to see and do in Grand Rapids.

The AQS Show and Contest adds another element to the artistic vibe in downtown Grand Rapids. The art scene here has seen tremendous growth in recent years with the addition of the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the annual 19-day art competition, ArtPrize.

Author: Kirsetin Morello

Kirsetin Morello is a writer, author, and blogger who’s called Grand Rapids home for almost 20 years. She writes for a variety of websites, companies, and magazines, including Parents and West Michigan Woman. When she’s not writing, she and her husband are raising three rapidly growing boys, who love to explore everything West Michigan has to offer. Kirsetin is enthusiastic about yoga, coaching basketball, weight training, craft beer, and travel. You can find her online at KirsetinMorello.com.